Liquid dispensing apparatus



Sept 16, 1947- vC. c; WAI-rr; ETAL. 2,427,429

LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 6, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Sept. 16, 1947.

C. C. WAITE ETAL LIQUID 'DIsPENsING ABPARATUS Filed Oct. e,l 1942 5 sheets-sheet 2 Sept.v 16, 1947. lc.c:.w.1lu'n.=. ETAL 2,427,429

I LIQUID DISPENSINGv4 'APPARATUS Filed ot.6, 1942 A5 sheets-sheet s BY ESL/E Pemitea sept. v1e, 1947 LrQUm nrsrENsmG aranaros Charles C. Waite, Roselle Park, and Philip F. Bender, Jersey City, N. J., and Leslie Arnett, New York, N. Y., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Stewart Products Corporation, a corporation oi' Delaware Application October 6,1942, Serial No. 460,942

9 Claims. l

This invention relates to liquid dispensing, and more particularly to beverage dispensing.

It is an object ofthe invention to provide dispensing mechanism including improved measuring, mixing, and delivery mechanism and also to provide such mechanism, particularly in connection with machines for dispensing carbonated beverages, such `that uniformity oi' temperature and carbonation is obtained under widely diering conditions.

It is an object of the invention to provide hydraulic actuating mechanism for mixing and dispensing apparatus which is suitable for use in automatic beverage dispensing machines and provides greatly improved action over the electrically actuated and other devices heretofore used.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved valve mechanism and valve arrangements for dispensing liquids. o

With these and still other objects which will appear in the following full description in mind, the invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts and details of construction which will now be fully described in connection with the accompanying drawing and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. l

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an automatic beverage dispensing machine `embodying ythe invention according to a preferred form of embodiment;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the measuring and mixing valve apparatus of the machine of Figure 1, and is taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 16;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detail view of the valve oi.' Figure 2 and is taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figures 5 and 6 are flow diagrams showing schematically the operation of the mechanism of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a front elevation of the machine of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale and with the cabinet removed to show the interior;

Figure 8 is a horizontal section taken-on the line 8-8 of Figure 7 and showing the apparatus within the cooling tank;

Figure 9 is a schematic circuit diagram;

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus included within the machine of Figures 1 and 7;

2 Figure 11 is a detail view showingthe construction of a solenoid water valve Figure 12 isv an enlarged view of a portion oi Figure 7 and showing particularly the delivery apparatus;

Figure 13 is a detail view of a portion of the actuating mechanism of Figure 12 g. Figure 14 is an enlarged view oi a trip switch operable upon emptying of a cup compartment and is taken on the line I4-I4 of Figure 16;

Figure 15 is a plan view of the apparatus or Figure 14; and

Figure 16 is a vertical section taken on the line IE-IG of Figure 12.

Having reference now-to Figure l, the machine of theinvention will normally be `enclosed in a cabinet l such as there shown and provided with a front door 2, which has openings 3 and 4 for receiving used cups and delivering filled cups.; respectively. A coin slot 5 and coin return opening 6 will normally be provided, and, as will be understood, the door 2 will bef' hinged or otherwise adapted to opening so as to provide access to the interior or the cabinet for servicing. The specific cabinet construction forms no part of the present invention and, accordingly, requires no further description.

'ik shown in Figure '7, the general apparatus within the cabinet I includes a delivery assembly 1 surmounted by tubular cup holders and dispensers 8, this apparatus being mounted in front of a cooling water tank 9,k which contains the carbonating and mixing apparatus, as shown in Figure 8, and is preferably heat insulated as indicated in Figure 16. A syrup container Il is placed upon cooling water tank 9 so as to immerse its lower part therein. In the lower part of the machine are placed a waste container Il, water container i2, electric motor driven water pump I3 and carbon dioxide cylinder I4. In the upper part ofthe cabinet are a control panel I5 and refrigerating unit I6. These various elements are provided with suitable gauges, piping connections and electrical controls, all as later described in detail.

General construction and operation I The functions and inter-relations of the various elements of the machine are most simply shown in the general now diagram of Figure 10 and the mixing unit cw diagrams of Figures 5 and 6. The water tank l2, syrup container I0 and carbon dioxide cylinder i4, previously referred to, contain the ingredients to be mixed. 'Any of the usual Syrups may be used, depending on the beveragel desiredfand `ordinary 'tapwater will beil found suitable in localities havinga satisfactory.

pure water supply. n Water is taken from tank I2, throughr intake pipe I1, by pump I3 and delivered through check valve I8 and pipe I9 to'cooling coil 20, from which `it passes through check valves 2Il and 22,' and pipe 23 into carbonating tank 24. Y.

The carbonating tank 24 may conveniently comprise a combined unit of familiar type including also the check valves `lust referred to.

Also connected with pipe line I9 are a pipe line 25, leading to a hydraulic operating system for the mixing unit, later described, and a pipe 28 connecting to a pressure control switch S8, pressure gauge 28 and air chamber 29. Pressure f the right'hand or inner end er water cynnder' n.

The'lowermost port 41 communicates with adischarge passage 48,and the left hand port 48 switch S8 serves to start and stop pump I3 upon the pressure falling below or rising above set limits, and the air chamber 29 serves to avoid water hammer in the customary way, and to assist in maintaining pressure in thepressure system composed of'line I9 and cooling coil .29.

Excess water may be drained oil? from chamber 29 through cock 39, in case of flooding.

Carbon dioxide cylinder I4 is also connected to carbonating. tank 24 through Ia pipe line 3| containing a pressure regulator 32, which in- `communicates through a line 50 with the left hand or outer end of water cylinder 39. The syrup ports are similarly connected, one of these ports, 8|, communicating with pipe 38 and thus with the syrup tank I8; another, 52, through a line 52', with the right hand or outer end of syrup cylinder 4I; another, 53, with a discharge vpassage 54 and the last port, 58, through a pasand are adapted to register with the inner ports cludes a reducing valve and a Apressure gauge,

and containing also a check valve 33.

Carbonated water passesfrom tank 24 through the line 34 into an equalizer tank 35provided with a float controlled vent 38, and thence through pipe 31 into the mixing unit. Syrup, in turn, is fed to the mixing unit from tank I0, through a short straight pipe 38.

The cooling and carbonating apparatus thus 'far described is by way of illustration only, commercial -units including the cooling coil, carbonating cylinder and equalizing cylinder, together with their check valve and interconnections being satisfactoryv for use in the machine of the invention.

The measuring and mixing unit of the invention constitutes an important feature of the present invention and is described as to structure in full detail later 'in this specification. f

Having reference now -to the iiow diagrams of Figures 5 and 6, there is provided a water cylinder 39 having 'a piston 40 for delivering a measured quantity of carbonated water at each operation of the machine and also a syrup cylinder 4I having a piston 42 for delivering a measured quantity of syrup from container I0 at each operation of the machine: Pistons 48 and 42 are carried on a common piston rod 43 so as to work together and are conveniently driven by pressure of' carbonated water from tank 35 actingl on piston 40.

The operation of the measuring and mixing apparatus is controlled by a valve mechanism,

best shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 16. The` valve mechanism and associated discharge passages, later described, While shown as applied to the preferred form of measuring apparatus may be employed also in dispensing mechanism operating on the familiar time and orice principal. The valve comprises aseat having a set of ports for handling carbonated water and a set of ports for handling syrup. In the embodiment chosen for illustration, the outer set of ports is used for the carbonated water and the inner set for the syrup. The uppermost carbonated water port 44 (Figures 3 and 5) communicates with pipe line 31 and thus with tank 35. The right hand port 45 communicates through a passage 46 with l syrup cylinder 4 I 5I', 52, 53 and 55.

In the operating condition shown in Figure 5,

Lthevalve has been rotated so as to connect passage 31 to passage 46, and line 50 to the discharge passage 48. Similarly, with respect to the syrup cylinder, pipe 38 is connected with line 52' and passage 58 with the outlet passage 54.

YThis. represents a condition in which a measured quantity, of beverage hasV been delivered and the apparatus is in condition for re-operation. Such operation is eiected by rotating the valve through v90 (counter-clockwise in the construction illustrated) sc as to connect passage 31 and discharge 48 with the opposite ends of the water cylinder 39 and similarly to connect pipe 38 and discharge passage 54 with the opposite ends of The cutting oi of the connection between the pipe 31 and the right hand end of Water cylinder 39 and the connection of the right hand end of the water cylinder to discharge outlet 48 permits the piston 40 to move to the right, discharging the carbonated water contained in the cylinder through discharge passage 48. The movement of the piston is accomplished by the pressure ofthe carbonated water which is communicated to the left side of the piston 40 as soon as pipe 31 has been connected to the left end of cylinder 39 by turning the valve to the position of Figure 6. As will be observed, this turning of the valve simultaneously discharges the carbonated water from the right side of the cylinder and refills the left side of the cylinder. The motion of piston 4I) is communicated through rod 43 to syrup piston 42, discharging syrup from the right end of syrup cylinder 4I and simultaneously refilling the left hand end of cylinder 4I, preparatory to a secy ond operation.

As will be apparent, a turn of the valve from the position of Figure 6 will re-establish the connections of Figure 5, delivering carbonated water and syrup from the left ends of the cylinders and refilling the right ends. In this Way, by turning the valve in successive 90 steps, measured quantities of carbonated water and syrup are delivered and the cylinders are simultaneously recharged for the next delivery operation.

The operation of the valve is brought about by a'hydraulic actuating mechanism (Figure 10) including a cylinder 6'8 which contains a piston 61 connected to the valve by a piston rod 88 and ratchet mechanism later to be described. and serving to rotate the valve through 90 at each stroke of the piston. The piston is normally biased to the left by a spring 69 and the left end of the cylinder 66 is connected through a pipe line 10 to a three-way solenoid valve 1I, by means of which it may be connected either to pipe 25 communicated with water pipe I9, previously referred to, or 4to a return 'or drain pipe 12, leading into water tank I2.

The construction of solenoid valve 1I is shown in Figure 11. As there shown, a valve rod 13 is biased downwardly by a spring 14 so as normally to seat a poppet valve 15 in a valve seat 16 and to leave a second poppet valve 11, adapted to seat in valve seat 18, normally open. Under this condition, an internal valve passage 19 connects pipe .10 with return pipe 12 and pipe 25 is closed off by valve 15. When solenoid winding 80 is energized, valve rod 13 is lifted by plunger 8| working against spring 14 so as to open valve 15 and close valve 11. Under this condition, pipes and 25 are connected together and return pipe 12' is closed 01T. In this way, through solenoid valve 1I and by utilizing the water pressure in pipe I9, the entire cycle of operations previously described is performed.

As later described, solenoid valve l1I is energized at each operation of the machine, as by a. coinoperated switch, and is deenergized at the completion of each stroke of piston rod 68 by a limit switch, which switch is momentarily opened by the piston rod striking an operating plunger 82 and serves through appropriate circuit connections to deenergize solenoid valve 1I and to put the electrical circuits in condition for a repeated operation. As will be understood, upon the deenergizing of solenoid valve 1I, spring 69 returns piston 61 to the position of Figure 10.

Control mechanism and circuits panel I5. The various circuits and apparatuscontrolled thereby may be traced in the following manner: Provision may be made for lighting the cabinet in the usual way through a circuit intion is made 4between line L-II) and armature R-I, through a stationary contact R-2, with a line L-I5 which includes the winding of a slug solenoid 83 and a sold-out switch S-1, later described in detail. When the Winding of relay .R is energized, connection is made with stationary contact R-3, instead of with contact R-Z, connecting line L-Il) through a line L--I6 with winding 80 ofthe solenoid valve 1I previously referred to. Current for energizing relay R. is provided from line L-I through connections L-I I and L-Il, previously referred to, in either of two possible ways. The first connection is established through line L-I1, coin switch S- and main line L-8 and exists onl momentarily, whenever the coin switch S-8 is c osed. A second or maintaining circuit is established through line L-IB, leading through relay amature R-4 and stationary contact R-5 to line L--I9 and end of travel switch S-9, previously referred to, and thus back to line L-8.

By means of the foregoing circuits, and assuming all switches S-I, S-2, S-3 and S4 toI be .through the'machine, causes current to iiow momentarily from line L-III to line L-B through the winding of relay R, the circuit being made through connections L-I I, L M and L-I1 and the switch S -8. This causes the armatures R-I and Rf-I to be attracted toward the relay windingand establishes the maintaining circuit for the relay winding through connection 11.-I8, amature 11i- 4, stationary contact R-S, line L-IS and end of travel switch S9. The armature R-I will likewise establish a connection from line L-II) through stationary contact R-3 and line L-I6, energizing the winding 80 of solenoid valve 1I. 'I'his in turn admits water under pressure from the line 25, as previously described, to the hydraulic cylinder 66, delivers a beverage from the measuring cylinders and refills the same for thenext operation. The

completion of the stroke of the hydraulic cylinder cluding line L-3 running from fuse F-2 through A switch S-3 to a line L-l going through the lights employed, which are indicated diagrammatically as a single bulb, and returning through line L-5 to fuse F-I. Another circuit passes from line L--3 through switch S-I and line L -6 through a temperature control switch S-5, through line L-1 to refrigerator motor MI, and thence to a main line L-8, which returns to fuse F-I and so to power connection L-I. Another circuit passes again through line L-3, through switch S-2 and line L--9v to a pressure control switch S-B and thence motor M-2 to mainline L-8.

A main control circuit line, L-IIL which includes fuse F-B, is taken off fuse F-Z and passes through switch S-4 to a connection L--I I to the winding of a relay R and also to a connection L-IZ to a counter C, which is shunted across the winding of the relay R, through connections L-I3 and 12F-I4. Line L-III continues past its junction with connections L-II and L-I2 and openslimit switch S-9, breaking the retaining circuit for the relay and deenergizing the same. Armature .Rf-4, accordingly, :breaks contact with contact Rf-5 and armature R-I breaks contact with stationary contact Rf-3 and remakes contact with stationary contact R-2. This returns the mechanism to the original starting condition in readiness for another operation.

The circuit leading from stationary contact R-2 through reject coil 83 and sold-out switch S-1, serves merely for the purpose of blocking the coin passage so as to return any coin which may be inserted when the cup supply is exhausted or when there is a current failure for any reason. The specific coin control utilized forms no part of the present yinvention and may be any of a number of well known coin controlled units now on the market and the same is true of the refrigerating unit employed. 'Ihese features accordingly are not illustrated in detail.

At each operation of the hydraulic cylinder 65, water is withdrawn from line I9 and returned to tank I2, tending to reduce the pressure in the system. 'Ihe delivery of a beverage will also diminish the quantity of carbonated water in tank 35 and thus tend, in some degree, to reduce the pressure in the system. Pressure control switch S-i for set so as to operate pump I3 at each dispensing pump I3 'is accordingly operation, so as to maintain constant or substantially constant pressure conditions in the system.

The withdrawal of water from tank |2 for operating the hydraulic cylinder and return thereof at each operation of the machine serves to agitate and aerate the water avoiding the stagnant conditions that would otherwise exist.

The entire 4mixing valve unit together with the carbonator assembly, water cooling coil 20 and the coils 84 (Figure 8), through which the refrigerant from refrigerating unit I8 passes, is immersed in water within the tank 9, resulting in maximlum stability as to temperature. The temperature control switch for the refrigerator motor will preferably be set so as to maintain a temperature slightly above freezing.

Cup delivery mechanism Fastened to the front of the cooling water tank 8, as best shown in Figures 12 and 16, is a framework upon which is mounted, by means of pivots |0|, a single piece delivery unit. |02, preferably made of enameled iron or similar material, and which., is formed with a rearward opening |03 to accommodate a liquid delivery spout |04, a second rearward opening |05 to accommodate the mixing valve actuating mechanism, a forward opening |08 in registry with cabinet opening 4 andaffording access to the filled cupsI by the customer and also with top openings, as shown, to accommodate cup dispensers. A

This yunitary delivery unit may be conven iently considered as composed of an upper and lower section. The lower section is formed with a transversely sloping iioor leading to a drain contact elements I2l., and in open position the switch arm is stopped in the position of Figure 14 by its inner end and the contact element H8, onopposite sides of the pivot |20, which are in contact with the member H4.

Valve actuating mechanism The valve actuating mechanism previously referred to comprises a drive shaft (Figures 2, 12, 13 and 16), upon which is carried a cam and ratchet mechanism, the body |3| of which is provided with four projecting studs |32 for engagement by intermediate parts attached to the hydraulic piston rod 68, previously referred to. The body member |3| is fastened in driving engagement with shaft |30 by means of a key |33, the latterbeing held in place by framework |34 rotatably carried by shoulders |35 turned in the membery |3|. The lower portion of framework |34 is formed to provide brackets |30 to which a flattened end |31 of the rod 68 is pivotally connected by a pin |38. Also carried upon the framework |34 is a pawl |39 urged toward opening |01, which is positioned so as Ito drain into waste container previously mentioned (Figure 7). The upper portion of the lower section is formed into cup supporting means comprising an inwardly extending fiange |08 of suitable size to receive a cup |09, as indicated in dotted lines, so that the cup, while supported by its upper edge upon the flange, m-ay be first filled from spout |04 and then withdrawn forwardly by the customer. The upper section of the delivery unit |02 is formed with sloping side l walls having guide 'ribs I0 for directing cups from the cup dispensers into the dotted line po-4 sition of Figures 12 and 16.

Mounted on top of the delivery runit |02 are a pair of cup dispensers 8, the lower ends of which contain dispensing mechanism including an operating pin ||2 and which is adapted to dispense cups alternately from the two columns one such cup being dispensed at eachoperation of the actuating mechanism. The specic form of cup dispensers employed forms no part of the present invention and hence requires no further description. f

Passing through a slot ||3 (Figure 14) in the wall of one of the cup dispensers is the lower end of an operating member ||4 for sold-out switch S-, previously referred to. This arm ||4 is pivotally carried on a pin 5 and is shaped as shown so that when held back by cups the cup engaging edge lI i6 will be vertical. The other end of the member ||4 carries a weight which is located in the position of Figure 12 outside the pivot ||5 and hence tends to swing to the position of Figure 14 so as to open the switch S-1 by striking the movable contact element ||8 as shown in Figure 14. Thecontact element ||3 is mounted on switch arm the member |3| by a spring |40 and having a recess |4| for engaging the pins |32. At each stroke of rod 68 the rearward wall of recess |4| serves as an abutment to drive the member |3| by means of a pin |32 from the position of Figure 12 through an angle of 90. Upon completion of this stroke the end of rod 68 strikes the actuating plunger 82 of limit switch S-9, thus permitting the spring 69 to return rod 68 to the position of Figure 12, as previously described. The forward wall of recess |4| is beveled to lift the pawl on the return stoke, clearing it from pin |32 and the pawl surface |42 located rearwardly of the recess is likewise slanted so as to pass over the next pin |32 on the return stroke and permit the same to be engaged Within recess |4| preparatory to the next operation of the machine.-

Member |3| is also formed with a spiral groove or `cam track |43 which receives a roller |44 to which in turn is connected a slide |45 movable back and forth in a slideway |46 and carrying a connecting member |41 for operating the cup dispensers. The forward and rearward or high and low points of the cam track |43 are located opposite the pins |32, so that if the cam track is at its furthermost forward postion adjacent one of the pins |32, it is at its rearmost position adjacent the next pin |32, at its foremost position again tion, or vice versa, as the case may be, thus providing a suitable actuating movement for the alternately operating cup dispensers IH. Member |3| is conveniently made part of a detachable unit, which includes also a support bracket |48 for the slideway |46, which is mounted on a support plate |49, by means of screws |48', the plate |49 being, in turn, attached to tank 0 by means of screws |49' (Figures 52 and 13). In this way member |3|, together with its connected parts,

may conveniently be removed when access to the valve is desired for servicing.

The' valve body casting |50 is fastened within the tank 8 by means of screws i5 I, the joint being sealed by a gasket |52, and is formed with a threaded opening |53 adapted to receive a threaded'housing member |54, which encloses the valve mechanism proper. Shaft |30 passes through an opening in the forward wall of housing |54 and terminates in a bearing nose |55 seating in a depression in the movable valve member. Carried Aupon shaft |30 within the housing |54 are pressure discs |56 and a compression i spring |51 intermediate the pressure discs." 'Ihe rearward pressure disc is attached toshaft |30 by a pin |58 and the forward pressure disc is attached thereto by a pin |59 carried ina slot |60, so as to permit movement along the shaft. The rearward pressure disc is in turn coupled to the moving valve member |6| by a pin |62 carried on the latter and engaging in a recess |63 in the former.

By means of this mechanism and the hydraulic actuating mechanism therefor, as previously described, it is possible to force the moving valve member |6| against its seat with very heavy compression while still obtaining the required rotary movements of the valve, this being a very desirable feature. Moving valve member |6| seats against a packing member |64 made of treated leather, such as is well known in the art for use in beverage valves. As will be understood, the packing member |64 is provided with openings in registry with those of the moving and stationary valve members, as previously described in connection with Figures 3 to 6.

Miningand measuring mechanism 'I'he casting |50 is formed so as to constitute one end of each of the measuring cylinders 39 and 4|, previously referred to. As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the carbonated water cylinder 39 includes an inner end formed by the casting |50, which includes an Aannular groove in which is positioned a gasket |1|. 'I'he cylinder wall |12 abuts against this gasket and against a similar gasket |13 carried in an annular groove |14 formed in an outer head member |15. The syrup cylinder construction, similarly, includesl a portion of the body casting |50, havingv an annular groove |16 ,within which is positioned a gasket member |11, a cylinder wall |18 and an outer end gasket |19 carried in an annular groove |80 formed in the outer head member |8|. The

piston construction require no special comment other than to note that the piston rod packing |82 is inserted from the carbonated water end and compressed by a nut |83 carried in a threaded bore |84 as shown.

'I'he cylinder assembly as thus described is held together for ready disassembly by means of rods |85 as shown in Figure 3, which fasten the heads ,|15 and |8| securely against the casting |50. As

will be understood, four such rods will be employed for each cylinder, only those on one side being shown in Figure 3.

The syrup and carbonated Water passages pre- |50 and are partly external thereto. 'I'he external portions of these passages consist of a pipel connection |86 to the head |15, which forms part of passage 50, and a similar connection |81 to the head |8|, and which forms part of passage 52'.

The discharge passages 48 and 54 heretofore referred to generally are best shown in Figures viously referred to are partly formed in the casting i the bore 10 dissipation of pressure head so as to produce substantially a mere gravity flow at atmospheric pressure from the outlet pipe |04 and the carrying out of this process in an atmosphere consisting of substantially pure carbon dioxide and under cooling tank temperature conditions. Referring now to Figure 16, it will :be observed that the carbonated water delivery passage, heretofore referred to as passage 46, includes a number of successive passages |90, |9|, |92 and |93. The passageway| opens off port 41 and contains a restricted orifice or bore |90' adjacent this port. The passage |90 terminates in a vertical passage or expansion chamber |9| off which branches a downwardly slanting passage |92 which is shortly expanded into a passage |93 of larger bore, which in turn communicates with delivery pipe |04. The syrup passage 54 includes a portion formed in the casting |50 and opening into the -bore |93 at |94, and also the bore |93 beyond this point. Located within the chamber |9| and positioned centrally therein is a member |95 detachably mounted in the casting |50 by a, screw threaded portion |96 and comprising a concave and rounded lower surface |9-1 substantially in registry with the lower surface of :bore |92, and

shank |98 extending upwardly from this rounded surface and carrying a button |99 at its upper end at a point intermediate the junctures of passages |90 and |92 of the chamber |9|. The upper end of the button |99 is preferably roundedv as shown.`

In these passages, as described, carbonated water will first be forced to pass through a sharply restricted orifice |90 emerging into an expansion chamber consisting of the passage |90 and the upper portion of the bore |9I, above the button |99. The angular disposition of the bore |9| with relation to the passage |90 will break up the velocity of the jet or stream. The carbonated water next iiowspast the button |99 through thev annular opening between it and the wall of bore |9| and emerges into the passages |92 and |93, velocity being again dissipated due to the angular disposition of the passage |92. By suitably proportioning the orifice |90 and the annular orifice around the button |99 the carbonated water may be dispensed at atmospheric pressure with substantially a gravity ow. In the example illustrated, which vis a high pressure system, the carbonated water is reduced from a pressure of about seventy-five pounds to atmospheric. In such case the annular orifice around the button 99 may be made with a now area approximately fifty times as great as that of the orifice |90 and the construction will be found to operate satisfactorily under the necessary variations in pressure which occur in the carbonated water entering the orifice 90. This result is achieved by reason of the fact that the flow through the orifice |90 depends upon the carbonated water pressure at its entrance and the pressure obtaining within the passage |90, while the now around the button |99 depends in turn upon the pressure in the upper end of the bore |9|. Accordingly, by suitably propontioning the orifice |90 and the annular orifice around the button |99, a condition may be created in Which-suiiiciently low pressure is maintained in the upper end of the bore .|9| to achieve a gravity flow therefrom, while the resistance of the orifice |90' maintains a rate of flow into the expansion chamber above I 9| equal to the rate of discharge past button |99. As will be apparent, .by suitable proportioning of the orifices and expansion chamber therebetween the construction of the invention may readily be used for dispensing carbonated water from a carbonating system operating at any of the usual pressures. The various passageways leading from the valve to the delivery tube Ill-4 will become iilledwith carbon dioxide when' the machine is operated and will maintain a carbon dioxide atmosphere for a considerable length of time. Under these conditions uniform carbonation o1 the carbonated water leaving the tube IM is readily attained and the fact that the carbonated water emerges from this tube with a gravity now prevents undue dissipation of thecarbon dioxide in filling the cup.

What is claimed is:

1. In beverage dispensing apparatus, a mixing valve comprising a valve seat having a set o! four syrup ports and a set of four water ports, and a movable valve member having corresponding sets of syrup and water ports and having also internal channels interconnecting said syrup and water ports, respectively, in pairs, a syrup measuring cylinder and a Water measuring cylinder, means for connecting the respective ports of each set of valveseat ports to a liquid supply source, to a discharge outlet and to each end of the corresponding measuring cylinder, and means for moving said movable valve member to connect the ends of said cylinders through said channels alternately to the liquid supply sources and discharge outlets. I l

2. Beverage dispensing apparatusl according to claim 3, in which each said set of ports comprises four ports arranged in a square, and the means for moving the said movable member comprises means for rotating the same in ninety degree steps. if

3. Beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a water container and a syrup container and means for withdrawing andmixing water and syrup inv measured quantities from said containers, the said means including a mixing valve comprising a valve seat and a sliding movable valve member, a hydraulic cylinder for `operating the said valve, means for introducing Water into said cylinder to operate the same, and means for discharging water from said cylinder after each operation thereof.

4. Beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a water container and a syrup container and means for withdrawing and mixing .water and syrup in measured quantities from said containers, the said means including a mixing valve, a hydraulic lcylinder for operating the said valve, means for mixing valve having connections to said syrup container and to said pressure system, a hydraullc cylinder for operating the said mixing Aexs , 12 valve.I means for operatively connecting said cylinder to said pressure system, and means for returning water from said cylinder to said water container after operation. l

6. In liquid dispensing apparatus, a mixing valve comprising a valve seat having a first set oi four ports and a second set of four ports, and a rotatable valve member having corresponding first and second sets of ports and having also internal channels interconnecting said tlrst and second sets of ports, respectively, in pairs, a first measuring cylinder and a second measuring cylinder,'means for connecting the'respective ports oi each set of valve seat yports to a liquid supply source, to a discharge outlet and to each end oi the corresponding measuring cylinder, and means for repetitively moving said rotating valve in one Adirection in Asteps to connect the ends of said -cylinders through said channels alternately to the liquid supply sources and discharge outlet.

7. Liquid dispensing .apparatus according to claim 6 in which each said set of ports comprises 8. In beverage dispensing apparatus, in combination, axially aligned syrup and water measurlng cylinders having pistons therein and a mixing valve, a unitary body member forming one head of each of said cylinders and the seat for said valve, said seat being disposed therein on a plane substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the axes of said cylinders, said seat being embraced by a mounting-flange forming a support for both said cylinders and said valve, said member also having internal bores forming connections between said valve seat and saidcylinders and additional internal bores for connecting said valve seat to sources of syrup and water and to discharge outlets for syrup and water.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said cylinders are double acting and wherein some of said internal bores communicate with adjacent ends oi said cylinders and others of said internal bores communicate with the opposite lor outer ends of said cylinders via conduits.

- CHARLES C. WAITE.

PHILIP F. BENDER. LESLIE ARNETT.'

REFERENCES CITED l .The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS j 

